Artistic Directors
Mari Palo
Mari Palo is one of the most sought-after Finnish sopranos both on domestic stages and international platforms. As a versatile artist, Palo has captivated audiences with her radiant presence across genres ranging from classical lied and opera repertoire to lighter music.
Mari Palo began her vocal studies at the Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory and graduated with a master's degree in music from the Sibelius Academy. She has performed as a lied singer and as a soloist with orchestras around the world, and she is a popular guest at chamber music festivals. Palo has been a regular guest artist at the Finnish National Opera since 1999. In 2019, the President of Finland awarded Palo the Pro Finlandia Medal.
Mari Palo started as the second artistic director of the Oulu Music Festival at the 2023 festival. Palo is responsible for planning the festival's classical music program.
+358 50 525 4621
maripalo75(at)gmail.com
Kari Ikonen
Pianisti-säveltäjä-moogisti, musiikin maisteri Kari Ikonen (s.1973) on yksi eurooppalaisen jazzin ja improvisoidun musiikin keskeisistä hahmoista. Hän toimii tällä hetkellä aktiivisesti soolopianistina, Kari Ikonen Trion kanssa, duona Louis Sclavisin kanssa, duona Fabrizio Cassolin kanssa, Quartet Al-Qantarassa sekä useissa muissa suomalaisissa ja kansainvälisissä bändeissä kuten Wishamalii, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna, Quartet Ajaton ja Trio Toffa. Hänen debyyttialbuminsa ”Karikko” palkittiin Suomen Grammylla vuonna 2001, ja vuonna 2013 hän sai Yrjö-palkinnon Suomen vuoden jazzmuusikkona.
Mr. Ikonen is also an inventor – the revolutionary Maqiano™ Microtuning System is allowng him and other pianists to explore with the Arabic maqamat and other microtones on acoustic piano.
Kari Ikonen started as the second artistic director of the Oulu Music Festival at the 2024 festival. Ikonen designs the festival's program for rhythm music.
urmas.koikkalainen(at)gmail.com